Road crews prepare for first major snow of the season

A LAKE-EFFECT SNOW WARNING is in effect for Geauga and inland Ashtabula counties beginning this evening at 6 p.m. and ending Saturday at 4 p.m.

A LAKE-EFFECT SNOW WATCH is in effect for Ashtabula lakeshore, Lake, and Cuyahoga counties beginning this evening and ending Saturday morning.

While some areas will just be getting a dusting, other areas could get as much as a foot, and then there's more on the way after that.

Ohio Department of Transportation crews started pre-treating roads Wednesday night. They put down a salt water mix called brine to prevent snow and ice from sticking. Then they'll switch to salt after the flakes start to fall.

Because of last year's mild winter, ODOT has about half of its supply left, and salt is cheaper this year. Prices are down from around $50 per ton the last two winters to $30 per ton this year.

ODOT says 80 crews will be out in Lake, Geauga, and Cuyahoga counties beginning Wednesday night.